Surf City, Here We Come

Just getting out of our hotel parking garage was the first adventure of the day as somehow the automatic door got jammed and we found ourselves stuck on the exit ramp unable to get out. Luckily for the Bickersons the hotel maintenance man made a timely appearance on his way into work and rescued us so we could be on our way.

We continued our meandering northwest and soon crossed into the fertile lands and vineyards of Estremadura and the sunshine continued. Before long the walled town of Obidos appeared on a hill on the horizon. As this had been on our bucket list we were excited to see it. 

A three-kilometer 16th century aqueduct runs across country to the intact Moorish walls of the town. Inside, small cobblestone streets run off in all directions, and while the main street is completely touristy, there are lots of nooks and crannies to get lost in. It looks just like a small storybook castle, and it is in remarkably good condition.  

From the impressive front gate we walked down the main street of up-market souvenir shops, boutiques and kiosks offering sour cherry liqueur in chocolate cups - of course we had one, it was five o'clock somewhere - to the small castle, where you can climb up and walk all the way around the ramparts, admiring the view of the surrounding countryside.

Warning - the walkway in parts was about 30 feet high, with the crenellated wall on one side, looking down to the ground below, and nothing but air on the other. No handrail or even a rope to grab onto if you lost your footing on the 2-foot-wide walkway. Too late do you realize it is not suitable for kids or anyone prone to vertigo or afraid of heights (me). I managed to get around it but looked pretty silly pressed against the wall like a cat burglar as I inched along. With people coming along from both directions our choices were to continue or go back the way we came, neither offering much comfort, and I was relieved to be down  on solid ground again. I wouldn't have made a very good Medieval wench.

We had a good couple of hours there, including lunch in the beer garden, before moving on to the wild Atlantic coast and the surfers' paradise of Nazaré.

A popular coastal resort, the long, wide sandy beach arcs around in front of a promenade that is packed with seafood restaurants, bars and souvenir stores. 

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